Hi all--I think I read an old post once about a tmj specialist recommending that we take (sp) glucosamine and Chondritin? also vit. c for tissue repair. Has anyone heard of these recommendations from their doctors? I think I am going to try these along with my treatment. Thanks--J.

Yes - there are several previous posts regarding this. Of course the obvious issue with tmj is not being to eat properly whether it be due to not being able to chew or swallow or extreme pain which can diminish the appetite or nausea, or digestive issues due to not fully masticating food, etc. The other perspective is to provide supplements to help the body heal and function better. Holistic dentists tend to be much more into the nutrional aspects affecting tmj patients although they mostly suggest various herbs. For the most part glucosamine, condroitin and MSM and magnesium tend to be the more common supplements for tmj as well as calcium, vitamin D to help keep the bones strong. I haven't been able to swallow tablets or even gel caps (luckily pain meds tend to be very small) for a long time now but when I was, I was also taking omega3,6 and 9 as well (a combo fish oil,borage and flax). I don't think it would hurt anyone with tmj to take supplements - even if they are of the liquid form - but of course one should not not exceed the recommended dosage.

Yes - there are several previous posts regarding this. Of course the obvious issue with tmj is not being to eat properly whether it be due to not being able to chew or swallow or extreme pain which can diminish the appetite or nausea, or digestive issues due to not fully masticating food, etc. The other perspective is to provide supplements to help the body heal and function better. Holistic dentists tend to be much more into the nutrional aspects affecting tmj patients although they mostly suggest various herbs. For the most part glucosamine, condroitin and MSM and magnesium tend to be the more common supplements for tmj as well as calcium, vitamin D to help keep the bones strong. I haven't been able to swallow tablets or even gel caps (luckily pain meds tend to be very small) for a long time now but when I was, I was also taking omega3,6 and 9 as well (a combo fish oil,borage and flax). I don't think it would hurt anyone with tmj to take supplements - even if they are of the liquid form - but of course one should not not exceed the recommended dosage.

Thanks for the info! I know what you mean about not being able to swallow pills. I used to be able to swallow 2 advils at a time, but i'm down to just 1 pill at a time. It can make you kind of panicky when they feel like they're not going down. I hope you can get some relief soon so you can take supplements again TL.. Take care..

OP- I went to walmart last night and picked up some glucosamine with added chondroitin. I spoke with the pharmacist and the chondroitin (I believe) is for lubrication in the joints. He said it is know that this is absorbed in the stomach before it even hits your system, thus not really helping any. He said to give it a month to see if it works, but studies have shown that people given placebos said that it worked fine.

Who knows. I am up for whatever until I have enough money for a customized mouthpiece. I also purchased a "Bed Buddy". You put it in the microwave and it is awesome. It is actually shaped in the form of an eye mask and meant for sinuses.....attaches with velcro around the head.,..but I put the pad on the side of my head and attach the velcro under my chin. You should see me now.

Oh I bet you look cute - real sexy, hey? I walked arund with a wet towel wrapped under my chin and tied at the top of my head for several months - looked like I had bunny ears on top of my head - but I would throw the wet towel in the microwave for 30 secs or so and it stayed pretty warm for 20 mins - and I used a heating pad on my neck - at one point I put an extension cord on it so I could walk around a bit. I guess one must do whatever it takes, right?

I used to use glucosamine with chrondriton, but then was introduced to the combo that included MSM. I've been taking 3 pills a day for about 2 months and I notice a slight difference. I also take fish oil, calcium and prenatal vitamins.

I also have a heating pad and ice pack that I use when it really hurts. I recently had a root canal done and have been in the worst TMJ pain EVER! The hydrocodone that I was prescribed did nothing for the pain, but along with the supplements, I take advil liqui-gels and rapid release tylenol. They work within about 15 minutes and take the edge off enough to sleep for a few hours.

It stinks that most insurances don't cover this. Our old one did, but that was with my husbands old job, and I was all excited to get my problem fixed. Oh well, maybe one day the pain will go away....oh wait....I'll be dead by then LOL (yes that was a joke).

I used to use glucosamine with chrondriton, but then was introduced to the combo that included MSM. I've been taking 3 pills a day for about 2 months and I notice a slight difference. I also take fish oil, calcium and prenatal vitamins.

I also have a heating pad and ice pack that I use when it really hurts. I recently had a root canal done and have been in the worst TMJ pain EVER! The hydrocodone that I was prescribed did nothing for the pain, but along with the supplements, I take advil liqui-gels and rapid release tylenol. They work within about 15 minutes and take the edge off enough to sleep for a few hours.

It stinks that most insurances don't cover this. Our old one did, but that was with my husbands old job, and I was all excited to get my problem fixed. Oh well, maybe one day the pain will go away....oh wait....I'll be dead by then LOL (yes that was a joke).

Thanks!! By the way, what is MSM? I too agree that we are getting ripped by these stupid ins. companies. Do our heads have to literally fall off our bodies before the gov. and ins. co's realize that tmj dysfunction is a serious health issue? Come on Obama, help us out.!!!

It's just another plant supplement and it can possibly help in treatment of osteoarthritis. Taking MSM by mouth seems to modestly reduce some symptoms of arthritis such as pain and joint movement, but it might not reduce other symptoms such as stiffness.